Milking machine



Jun@ l2, w23. 3,456,237

W. N. MUELLE MILKING MACHINE Filed April 22, 1922 2 shets-sneet 1 I@ :fw 172 12 31a/manto@ WZZZZMM/m alito: nu@

.Fume l2, 1923. lg?

, W. N. MUELLF@ MILKING MACHINE Filed April 22 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented .linie l2, "i923,

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WLLIill/ N. MUILLER, @E FREDERCKSBBG, IOWA.

MILKNG MACHINE.

Application filed April 22, 13:22. Serial No. 555,986.

To all whom. t magy Confucio?,

Be it known that l, Winnaar MUnLLnn, a citizen of the United States, residing` at Frederickshurnj, in the county oi' Chickasaw and State oi iowa, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Milking Machines, ol' which the Jfollowing is a specification, reference being had to the ac*- companying drawings.

lt is the purpose of the present invention to provide a machine of this character, wherein the construction simple, eilicient and practical, and involves improved features oi construction, as will be pointed out in the followingspecilication.

Another pupose is to provide a machine ot this kind including a. base (which con stitutes the top ot a milk pail or other re* ceptacle), on which a cylinder is supported including piston therein, whereby through the medium or" vacuum and air valves and valve arm or lever carryingi` said valves and operatively connected to the piston, a pulsating;r action may be created in atube tor milking cows.

lt is to be understood thatthe particulars herein @given are in no way limitative and that while` still keeping` within the scope of the invention, any desired modifications of detail and desired proportions may be made in the apparatus according;` to circumstances.

rlhe invention comprises further features and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through the improved milking machine constructed in accordance with the invention, showing the valve. arm tilted in a position for closing the air valve;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through a fragmentary portion oli the millo ing machine, showing the valve arm or lever tilted in the opposite direction tor closing the vacuum valve;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 1' Figure 4 is a detail perspective view ot a coupling block for coupling a connecting;y

rod between the-valve arm or lever and the piston;

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a milk pail or other suitable receptacle, wherein the milk trono the cow is adapted to flow, when a pusating action is created on the interior thereot. Mounted upon the eceptacle or pail is a cover or lid 2, which constitutes the base et the milking` machine proper. ln other nerds the milking` Inachine comprises cylinder 3, whose hase el (which is relatively heavy and thick) is provided with supporting' legs 5, which are secured in any suitable manner upon the lid or cover or the pail, The body of the cylinder is threaded to its base as shown to which :i coupling' hlock 8 is connected by means of a bolt 9 passing upwardly through the block and through the piston and is provided with securing means 10 so as to hold the bolt in place, and thereby connecting the couplinghlock in posi" tion on the bottom of the piston.

The top 11 oit the cyinder is provided with a plurality oi"v openings 12, through which air drawn when the piston descends, and out of which the air is expelled when the piston ascends.

lvlounted upon suitable support or stud 13 (which rises trom the bottom of the cylinder) is an oscillatoryY lever or arm 14. This lever 147i has an upstanding projection 15, to which a tension spring 16 is connected. The spring 16 is in turn connected at 17 to the upstandingg post or stud. The construction and arrangement oi the springr relatively to its connection with the projection 15 and the pivot oi said lever are such that the springw is designed to contract on either side of the.pivot 18 oi' the lever, so to hold one end or the other oi? the 'lever depressed vand its respective valve, closed.

. A rod connection 19 operatively connects one arm oit the lever 14- and the coupling lolock 8 as at 20 and 21. This rod 'cons nection comprises two sections 22 and 23, the former connected to the coupling block, and the latter to the lever. The two sections are operatively coupled by means of a sliding 'joint 24:, which comprises the loop 25 which has a guide opening 26 for the section 22. The lower end of the section 22 has a head 27, which constitutes a hammer. ln 'tact this sliding connection also constitutes a hammer joint,`wherehy when the piston 7 is drawn down due to the vacuum created in the cylinder, the head or hammer 27 imparts a hammer blow lllounted in the cylinder is a piston 7,

to the bottom of the loop, causing the arm,

to which the section 23 is connected to tiltV the purpose of regulating lthe size ot the'passage adjacent said valve seats, in order to control the volume ot air and suction. rl`he passageway 33 communicates with the atmosphere', whereas the passageway 32 communicates with a 'pipe39- t whicha flexible vadapted 'for regulating the size` et' the comtube 40 is connected. `'Ihisftube 40 operatively connects with any conventional i''orm et vacuum or suction pump (not shown), for Creating,r a suction in the cylinder, and then in the pail. The lpipe 39 commuuicatively connects with a cross connecting pipe 4l whichrises from and is connected to the vcover or base 2' of the milking apparatus.

Where the rpipe 4l joins the cover, a valve seat 42 is provided, and with which the conventional form of spherical or ball valve 43 cooperates, for controlling the suction ac. tion to be created in the pail or other receptacle.

. A tubular elbow 44 is threaded in the cover or lid as atv 45, and connected to the horizontal projecting aim ot said elbow is a lmilking tube 46, which terminates in a plurality of branch tubes 47, which in turn are v provided with teat engaging and receivingA cups/48. A valve plug 49 is threaded at 50 in theupper end ot the tubular elbow and is municating passages ot the elbow, in order to govern the flow ot the milk, and also the volume ot the suction or'vacuum to be createdy in the tube.

The cylinder 3 has a lateral extension tube 51, to which a flexible tube 52 (exi tending from any suitable air pump not shown) isv connected.`

rcoiled expansion spring .53 is mounted yin the cylinder and is adapted tor assisting in raising the piston 7.

yUpon suction being applied through the conduit 40 and assumingthe mechanism to be in the position shown in Figure l, pressure entering through the tube 5l, suction will be created through the tube 39 sutiiciently to overcome the incoming pressure from the tube 51 and cause the piston 7 to be drawn. downwardly. Thisl downward' mo v tion off the piston through the coaction 'oft the loop Q5 and head 2'? will canse the ylever port 3l of the base oli the i4 to be roclredin a direction to close they valve 28 and cut ott the suction. This closing movement is completed by the spring 16 and the suction terminated by the closing of the valve. v During this period the ball valve 43 remains seated and no suction is created within they receptacle l or iny theteat engaging means 48. l/Vhem however, the valve 28 closes, the suction acts to litt ball 4,3 and a partial vacuum is created in the receptacle l and teart engaging means causing a tlow ot milk to the receptacle. The pressure entei`- ing at the tube 51 together with the action ofthe spring 53 is at this time acting'to ele-l vate the piston .7 and during-its upward movement this piston causes` engagement et the head Q6 with the upper end ot the loop 25. resulting in the valve 28l being drawn from its seat and the'valve 30 being seated. In this case, the motion of the Vlever-Mire completed by the spring 16, as hereinbetorc described. As the valve 30 seats, the vacuum again acts through. the tube 39 and accordingly the ball valve 43 falls to its seat,

`cutting ott the suction at the 'teat engaging means and discontinuing the flow.` Action by the incoming compressed air at l'to elevate the piston 7 is, ol course, delayed by the port y3l through which 'a portion of the `pressure may escape. lt will be vnoted that since the size ot this portmay be regulated, lthe duration ot the successive suction periods may be readily controlled Aand since the size of the port 32 iscontrollable,through which the suction is created in the cylinder .3, the length oit the period between suction periods may likewise be controlled. lt will, of

course, be obvious that by controlling the length ot the suction periodsaud the rapid? ity with which they occur, the `degree of partial vacuum within the receptacle A1 and teat engaging cups 48 may be varied toy .suit varyingI needs at will. d

The invention having been set forth,'what is claimed is having ateat engaging means, means for creatingva vacuum` in" said receptacle* and the teat engaging means", means actuated by 'said vacuum creating' means for retaining said vacuum, and pneumatic means-operable upon the retaining means for terminating the period of vacuum created in said receptacle and the teat engaging nieans. and

means tor/controlling the escape 'of air from the pneumatic means. Y i y l 2. In a milking apparatus, ak receptacle having a teat engaging ineans,..means vfor creating a vacuum in said receptacle and the teat engaging mea-ns, means vactua-ted" by said vacuum creating means for retaining said vacuum, and pneumatic means operable upon the retaining' means for terminating the period oi'' vacuum created in ksaid receptacle and the teat engaging means,l and Y t 11e 1. ln a milking apparatus, a receptacle means controlling the amount of vacuum upon said retaining means, and means torv controlling the escape of air from the pneumatic means.

3. ln a milking apparatus, a receptacle provided with a teat engaging means, a cylinder mounted on the cover of the receptacle, suctionV means for creating a vacuum ,in the receptacle and the teat engaging means and operatively communicating the interior of the cylinder creating the vacuum therein, means in said cylinder vactuated by the suction means for closing communication with the cylinder, thereby retaining the vacuum in the receptacle, and pneumatic means operable upon the retaining means to release it and thereby terminate the period or" vacuum.

4. ln a milking apparatus, a receptacle provided. with a teat engaging means, a cylinder mounted on the cover of the receptacle, suction means for creating a vacuum in the receptacle and the teat engaging means and operatively communicating the interior of the cylinder creating the vacuum therein, means in said cylinder actuated by the suction means for closing communication with the cylinder, thereby retaining the vacuum in the receptacle, and'pneumatic means operable upon the retaining means to release it and thereby kterminate the period or vacuum, and means Jfor permitting the escape of air from said pneumatic means.

5 ln a milking apparatus, a receptacle provided with a teat engaging means, a cylinder mounted on the cover of the receptacle, suction means for creating a vacuum in the receptacle and the teat engaging means and operatively communicating the interior ozt the cylinder creating the vacuum therein, means in said cylinder actuated by the suction means for closing communication with the cylinder, thereby retaining the vacuum in the receptacle, and pneumatic means operable upon the retaining means to release it and thereby terminate the period oit vacuum, and means for permitting the escape of air from said pneumatic means, and means for controlling the amount of suction created in said cylinder.

6. lin a milking apparatus, a receptacle provided with teat engaging means, a suction means tor creating a vacuum in said receptacle, a cylinder provided with ports, one operatively connected with the suction means, the other communicating with the atmosphere, an oscillatory member operatively mounted in said cylinder and having valves-cooperating with said ports, means mounted in the cylinder and provided with a hammer joint connection with said oscillatory member and being actuated by the suction means for tilting the oscillatory member tor causing one valve of said member to close the port of communication with the suction means, thereby retaining the vacuum in the receptacle, whereby the other valve is disengaged from its port, and pneumatic means operatively connected with the cylinder to operate upon the oscillatory member actuating means to open the -irst port and close the second port for terminating the period of vacuum in the receptacle.

7. ln a milking apparatus, a receptacle provided with a teat engaging means, a suction means for creating a vacuum in said receptacle, a cylinder provided withports, one operatively connected with the vsuction means, the other communicating with the atmosphere, an oscillatory member operatively mounted in said cylinderrand having valves cooperatingl with said ports, means mounted in the cylinder and provided with a hammer joint connection with said oscillatory member and being actuated by the suction means for tilting the oscillatory member for causing one valve of' said member to close the port ot communication with the suction means, thereby retaining the vacuum inthe receptacle, whereby the other valve is disengaged from its port, and pneuma -c means operatively connected with the cylinder to operate upon the oscillatory member actuating means to open the first port and close the second port for terminating the period oi vacuum in the receptacle, and 'means :For controlling vthe amount of suction created in said cylinder.

8. ln a milkingapparatus, a receptacle provided with a teat engaging means, a suction means for creating a vacuum in said receptacle, a cylinder provided with ports, one operatively connected with the suction means, the other communicating with the atmosphere, an oscillatory member operatively mounted in said cylinder and having valves cooperating with said ports, means mounted in the cylinder and provided with a hammer joint connection with said oscillatory member and being actuated by the suction means for tilting the oscillatory member :tor causing one valve of said member to close the port of communication with the suction means, thereby retaining the vacuum in the receptacle, whereby the other valve is disengaged from its port, and pneumatic means operatively connected with the cylinder to operate upon the oscillatory member actuating means to open the first port and close the second port for terminating the period or vacuum in the receptacle, and means operable across the second port for controlling the escape of vair from the penumatic means.

9. In a milking apparatus, a receptacle provided with a teat enga-ging means, a suction means ,for creating a vacuum in said receptacle, a cylinder provided with ports, one operatively connected with the suction means, the other communicating with the atmosphere, an oscillatory member operatively mounted in said cylinder and having valves cooperating with said ports, means mounted in the cylinder and provided With a hammer joint connection With said oscillatory member and being actuated bythe suction means 'for tilting the oscillatory member for causing one valve of said meinc ber to close-the port of communication With the suction means, thereby retaining the 'vacuum' inthe receptacle, whereby the other valve is disengaged from its port, and pneumatic means operatively connecting With the cylinder to operate upon Vthe oscillatory member actuating means to vopen the first l port and close the second port forterininatling y,the period' of vacuum in the receptacle,

' and means for controlling the amount of `v10. In a milking apparatus, a receptacle suction created in said cylinder, and means' operable across the second port for controllingtheescape of air from the pneumatic means. y

provided with ateat engaging means, a cylinder on lthe cover of said receptacle, suction means operatively communicating with the receptacle ,for creating a suction therein and 'in' said teat engaging means, a passage and port ycommunicating the suction means and said cylinder, said cylinder. having a port communicating with the atmosphere, an

, oscillatory device in the cylinder and provided With valves'tol cooperate With the first .and second ports, spring tensioned' means inthe cylinder and having a hammer connec- `tion'vv-ithsaid oscillatory device for actuat- -ing `said device and causing one'. valve to close the first port, .thereby retainingv the i' lvacuum in said receptacle, pneumatic means operatively connected to the cylinder to permit the air to act uponthek means which actuates said'device to reverse the movement ofk said device and cause one kvalve to disengage from cooperation with the first port,

and allow the other valve to close the second` port.`l 11,111 a milkingapparatus, a receptacle provided with a teat engaging means, a cyliiider on. the cover of'said receptacle, suction means',operatively communicating With tion with said oscillatory device for" actuating saiddevice and causing one valve toy close thewfirst port, thereby yretaining the vacuum in said receptacle,pneumatic means operatively` connected tothe cylinder to per-k .L

mit the air to act upon the means Which acport, `means 'for controlling the suction ac'- tion in said cylinder, and meansin the second port for lcontrolling the'escape of air from the pneumatic means, prior to the closing of' the second port..v

.In testimonywvhereof l' hereuntowaflix signature-` Winn-IAM N. MUiiLLnnl tuates said device to reverse thefmovement of' said device and cause one valve towdisengage from cooperation with ythe first port and allow the other valve to vclose the second i 

